Police seek ‘dine & dash’ family who ditched massive bill

The group allegedly walked out on a $645 bill

A family of four is accused of walking out on a hefty bill at a Staten Island Restaurant on New Year’s Day — perhaps not realizing that surveillance cameras got a good look at them.

According to Pix 11, three women and one man dined at Chinar on the Island, a Russian restaurant on Staten Island, on New Year’s Eve. Dressed to the nines, the family was captured on surveillance camera as they arrived at the restaurant. And after racking up a whopping $645 bill, the group allegedly ditched their tab.

Surveillance cameras also caught them leaving the restaurant in a silver SUV at about 3 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

Sure, it could have been an honest mistake — in which case we hope one of the dine-and-dashers sees this and settles up with the restaurant. Many service industry workers give up their holiday celebrations to work on New Year’s Eve, counting on higher-than-normal check averages and tips to supplement an unpredictable income. Indeed, workers at Chinar on the Island likely did not have a very happy New Year at all.

 

Police are seeking the public’s help in tracking down the diners. Anyone with information is urged to calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or text at 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577.